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WASHINGTON (WUSA9) -- Mike Shanahan has been fired as head coach of the Washington Redskins, the team announced Monday morning.

A tweet from the organization at 9:45 a.m. said "they have relieved Executive Vice President/Head Coach Mike Shanahan of his duties with the team."

Shanahan met with members of the media at 10 a.m. to give a final statement with the organization.

The head coach thanked owner Dan Snyder for the opportunity, along with his players and fans.

The team was forced to overcome serious salary cap restrictions in Shanahan's first few seasons, but he said he felt after the first two seasons that the team was headed in the right direction.

"We're better off today than we were four years ago," Shanahan said on his four-season tenure.

General Manager Bruce Allen addressed the media at 2 p.m.

The decision to fire Shanahan was "nearly 99 percent" after the Dallas game and the search for the team's next head coach is already underway, Allen said.

"It's really an open list" of candidates, Allen said, adding that both professional and collegiate coaches would be considered.

Allen also noted a shift of power within the Redskins front office, where Shanahan previously had final say on players and coaches.

"The control will be mine, and it will be working with our personnel department," Allen said.

On the Washington Redskins twitter page, RGIII is quoted saying, "Coach Shanahan has taught me a lot in just 2 years....I want to thank him for drafting me to the Washington Redskins and giving me a chance to live out my dream. I also want to thank Kyle [Shanahan] and Matt [LaFleur] for working so hard with me, day-in and day-out. I wish all 3 the best in the future. Looking forward to a new year and building with this team to where I know we can be."

Owner Dan Snyder issued the followed statement on Shanahan's firing:

"Redskins fans deserve a better result. We thank Mike for his efforts on behalf of the Redskins. We will focus on what it takes to build a winning team, and my pledge to this organization and to this community is to continue to commit the resources and talent necessary to put this team back in the playoffs."

In a press release, Redskins also said the following assistants also will not be retained: